Review: Blind Date with the Hero - Heroes of Freedom Ridge #18

Blind Date with the Hero book cover on blue background

It feels so bittersweet now that I'm finished the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series! When I first started, I wasn't sure if I could make it through all 18 books, but what a pleasure and delight it has been to get to know the town and its stories so thoroughly. Reading Blind Date with the Hero was both exciting and wistful; however, I'm thankful I got to travel to Freedom, Colorado this past year and get to know so many great authors!

Book Synopsis

She’s on a series of blind dates, but all she can think about is her Secret Santa…

Alexis would rather skinny dip in a snowbank than make good on the bet she lost. Ten blind dates? As though the holidays weren’t hard enough, now she has to sit at awkward Christmas parties with men who were more likely to be intimidated by her military experience than infatuated. At least her Secret Santa was keeping things interesting.

K9 Specialist Jared Keen couldn’t believe his luck when he got his best friend’s name in the Secret Santa pool. After years of wishing he could tell Alexis how he felt, this is his chance to show her instead. At the same time, he just needs to convince her that their friendship can handle the pressure outside the friendzone, and pray that one of her ridiculous blind dates doesn’t derail his plan.

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

This is the last book of the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series, and what an ending it is! This book delivers all of the warm and fuzzy feelings associated with romance and reminds readers why they fell in love with the people of Freedom, Colorado in the first place. Seeing so many characters mentioned is a thoughtful nod to earlier books, and the story itself is sheer bliss. As I was reading about Jared and Alexis, I couldn't help but root for things to work out for them. This is not only a charming story with secret admirer vibes throughout, but it dives deeper into the themes of identity, courage, and acceptance.

This book is the perfect conclusion to such a tremendous series, and Tara Grace Ericson hits it out of the park with this story. The number of swoony moments is equally matched by the poignant truths of God's love and care. I love that the characters work through tough issues together and that Jared demonstrates patience, grace, and persistence as he supports Alexis. Blind Date with the Hero will leave you with a smile on your face and butterflies in your stomach for all the best reasons.

Book Summary

Format of book: 📱
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommendation: 👍

Comments

Review: The Final Word - Bite of Betrayal #2

This is a book where the name Miles Morgan will have you wishing he was a real person after getting to meet his character. The Final Word is the next book in the Bite of Betrayal series by Laura Thomas , set in the English village of Bramble Downs. Combining the opera, a bakery, a book based on a Cinderella retelling, and sisters who have each others' backs through thick and thin, there is much to explore in Miles and Sophie's story! Many thanks to Mountain Brook Ink for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Content to be aware of : scenes of violence and death, domestic abuse, stalking Book Synopsis When aspiring author Sophie Brooks chooses to trade a vibrant Paris life for the tranquility of a quaint English village, she imagines her final days in the City of Lights will be magical. Sophie doesn’t anticipate a chilling encounter with an old flame—nor does she plan to find a new love on her very last nig...

Review: The Letter

January 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day . It is a day to remember the victims of the Holocaust and an ever-present reminder of how much God's chosen people have suffered throughout their history. In light of that, The Letter by April Barcalow was a fitting book for me to read for this upcoming Saturday. If you're interested in reading this as well, it is available for free to newsletter subscribers . Book Synopsis When a letter mistakenly makes its way to Elly’s door, an unlikely friendship grows between herself and a young stranger, Pieter. Pieter has recently lost his mother and Elly has always wished for a son–perhaps it was God’s will that they found one another. But over months of correspondence, Elly begins to suspect the truth about who Pieter is. She must find the courage to go on being a shining candle to the very man who holds the power to extinguish her light. Pieter is at odds with himself, his family, and his nation. He is convinced that the only way...

Review: An Overdue Match - Checking Out Love #1

What a treat to read about libraries as a former library worker! From the catchy title to a celebration of all things literary, An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon in her new Checking Out Love series is a gentle exploration into the topic of alopecia for women. Many thanks to Bethany House Publishers and LibraryThing for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Thoughts content is also posted on LibraryThing. Content to be aware of : this romance is a bit more sensual than clean fiction readers may be comfortable with; there is also the ethical dilemma of pulling library patron data for personal usage that breeches confidentiality, especially when taken off premises with the risk of data being stolen, which is not addressed by the author Book Synopsis Can a librarian's matchmaking mischief lead to a love that rewrites their stories? If the covers of every romance book ever published didn't convince li...